Tuesday, August 14, 2007

There's a new owner at the Chrysler Group, but the gameplan's the same for their celebration of the Woodward Dream Cruise -- the reveal of another Chrylser PT Cruiser special edition. This new version of the 2008 PT Cruiser, dubbed the "Sunset Boulevard Edition," represents the eleventh factory-customized limited-edition of the little retro rod, and the Chrylser Group says it's designed to bring "bling to the Boulevard." Or at least to Woodward Avenue we guess. We've no pictures of it yet, but fear not -- we'll be there at 8:30 this morning to bring you some live shots of the reveal in person. For the time being, the full press release is below the jump. For the rest of our Woodward Dream Cruise coverage -- hit the tag page here, and drop your own pictures into our live gallery here.UPDATE: We've got press shots below now.

* New Chrysler PT Cruiser model lights up the boulevard to kick-off annual Woodward Dream Cruise * Eleventh factory-customized limited-edition PT Cruiser celebrates another great American driving road * New PT Street Cruiser Sunset Boulevard Edition delivers factory customization and limited production at a value price * More than 1.2 million PT Cruisers sold since its introduction in 2000

Royal Oak, Mich., Aug 13, 2007 - Chrysler again kicks off the annual Woodward Dream Cruise today with the introduction of its newest special-edition PT Cruiser dedicated to a great American road that is part of Hollywood legend and the inspiration for countless songs, movies and TV shows - Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles. Announced in conjunction with Detroit's famed Woodward Dream Cruise, the 2008 Chrysler PT Street Cruiser Sunset Boulevard Edition will be available later this summer as a limited-production version of the 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser.

"The Chrysler PT Street Cruiser Sunset Boulevard Edition joins the Route 66 Edition and Pacific Coast Highway Edition as the third in our Street Cruiser series dedicated to famous highways," said David Rooney, Director - Chrysler Marketing and Global Communications. "Like the historic roads we're celebrating, the Chrysler PT Cruiser is a classic, and the perfect vehicle for factory customization because it celebrates the journey, as well as the destination."

Chrysler is limiting production of this unique factory-customized Sunset Boulevard Street Cruiser Edition to just 500 units for the 2008 model year. The U.S. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2008 Chrysler PT Street Cruiser Sunset Boulevard Edition will be $16,650 for the manual transaxle version and $17,475 for the automatic transaxle model. Both prices include a $640 destination charge.

"The Chrysler PT Cruiser is a classic that lends itself to personalization, and the car enthusiasts here at Chrysler are always looking at new ways to make this one-of-a-kind cruiser even more unique ," said Larry Lyons, Vice President - Front-wheel-drive Product Team. "We have a long history of success with keeping PT Cruiser fresh and exciting. In fact, the Sunset Boulevard is the 11th factory-customized PT Cruiser since it was first introduced in 2000."

Glitz and Glamour, PT StyleThe Chrysler PT Cruiser Sunset Boulevard Edition is inspired by the glitz and laid-back glamour of Los Angeles -- from the bright lights of Hollywood to the beautiful beaches along the coast. Soaked in the warm, golden rays of the perfect "Sunset Crystal" paint and accented with glistening bright chrome accents, this limited-edition PT Cruiser model brings some bling to the boulevard. Additional special equipment on the Sunset Boulevard Street Cruiser Edition includes 16-inch chrome-clad nine-spoke wheels with all-season touring tires, a power moonroof and deep-tint sunscreen glass. Brightwork accents include chrome body-side moldings and chrome lock knobs. A unique "Street Cruiser" badge, complete with Sunset Crystal accents, is featured on the rear liftgate and complemented by "Sunset Boulevard" Edition badges. Unique interior features on the Chrysler PT Street Cruiser Sunset Boulevard Edition include bright sill scuff pads, bright accent ring cup holders and chrome PRNDL bezel on vehicles equipped with an automatic transaxle. Cluster bezels and the passenger air bag door are Sunset Crystal to match the exterior body color.

Based on the 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser LX, the Street Cruiser Sunset Boulevard Edition is powered by a fuel-efficient 2.4-liter naturally aspirated engine that produces 150 horsepower (112 kW) and 165 lb.-ft. (220 N•m) of torque coupled with either a five-speed manual transaxle or a four-speed automatic. With the five-speed manual, this engine achieves 21 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway based on 2008 EPA estimates, perfect for a weekend cruise down any boulevard in the country.

The glow of the sunset also glimmers from the interior of the 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser Street Cruiser Sunset Boulevard Edition. Bauhaus feature fabric covers Pastel Pebble Beige sport contour bucket seats. This limited-edition vehicle also includes many of the standard safety features found on the 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser, including front-seat-mounted side air bags, enhanced accident response system, new advanced driver and front-passenger multi-stage front air bags with the Occupant Classification system, Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH) child-seat anchor system, brake/park interlock, lap and shoulder seat belts in all positions, rear door child protection locks, remote keyless entry with illuminated entry, Sentry Key engine immobilizer and speed-sensitive power locks.

Available options on the 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser Sunset Boulevard Edition include an automatic transaxle, air conditioning, anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes with low-speed traction control (ABS), engine block heater, SIRIUS Satellite Radio with free first-year subscription, and Sound Group I (which includes SIRIUS Satellite Radio and 368-watt Boston Acoustics audio Group with six speakers and subwoofer).

Chrysler PT Cruiser ProductionChrysler PT Cruiser and Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible vehicles are built at the Toluca Assembly Plant in Mexico. Chrysler sold 7,113 PT Cruisers in July. So far, year-to-date, U.S. sales of the PT Cruiser are 60,305. Since its launch as a production vehicle in February 2000 through July 2007, 1,211,271 Chrysler PT Cruiser vehicles have been sold worldwide.

Sunset BoulevardSunset Boulevard is a long, winding thoroughfare that begins in downtown Los Angeles and runs westward more than 20 miles to the Pacific Ocean. Along the way, Sunset Boulevard passes through Hollywood before it becomes the Sunset Strip as it passes through West Hollywood, weaves its way through Beverly Hills and Bel-Air, and continues through the rustic foothills of the Santa Monica mountains, and finally ends at the Pacific Ocean near Malibu. Over the course of those 20 miles, the boulevard's personality undergoes several radical transformations.

The name "Sunset Boulevard" has become a part of Hollywood legend, serving as the inspiration for countless songs, movies and TV shows, including:

* The famous 1950 motion picture starring William Holden & Gloria Swanson titled "Sunset Boulevard." The movie, in turn, inspired the 1993 Andrew Lloyd Webber musical of the same name, which starred actress Glenn Close in the lead role of Norma Desmond. * The 1960's popular TV series "77 Sunset Strip"* The Eagles' biggest-selling album, "Hotel California," which featured a photo of a Sunset Boulevard hotel on its cover, the Beverly Hills Hotel. * Former Eagle Don Henley recorded a song about life down at "The Sunset Grill" in 1985* 1970's disco singers sang about life "On Sunset," where there were "limousines to hide the stars, tinted glass to hide the scars... " * The final scene in Woody Allen's classic 1977 comedy "Annie Hall" was filmed at a sidewalk café right on the Sunset Strip

Source: Yahooautos.com

Chrysler BrandDriven by award-winning new models, the Chrysler brand has seen a dramatic increase in sales, market share and brand image. Since 1990, Chrysler brand sales have more than tripled. No other American automotive brand has grown as much during the same time frame.

The Chrysler brand's succession of innovative product introductions continues to solidify the brand's standing as the leader in great design, purposeful technology and value. With the launch of the all-new 2007 Chrysler Sebring sedan and the 2007 Chrysler Aspen - the first-ever full-size sport utility vehicle for the brand - the momentum is sure to continue with the launch of the all-new 2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible and 2008 Chrysler Town and Country.